On The Screen (2.20.09) Tyler Perry and fake teenagers
Plus Bollywood in limited release and a Best Picture nominee marathon
Tyler Perry at the premiere of 'Madea Goes To Jail' in New York
This will not take long.
February's never great for movie releases, but this month in particular feels like a complete drag, and this weekend is the worst of it. That is, unless you're a huge fan of Tyler Perry or cheerleader comedies.
Case in point...
"Madea Goes To Jail"
I'm not the audience for Tyler Perry films, but not for the reason you might think.
[more after the jump]
I think he paints in stereotype, and I think his sense of humor is so broad it makes "The Little Rascals" look like Moliere. I don't care what color his casts are... it's the overall community theater tone of his work that I don't connect with.
I am glad he has an audience that feels like he is speaking directly to them. I do not begrudge them their twice-annual dose of Perry at this point. I don't have to hate his existence just because I don't like his movies. I just choose not to see them after giving three or four of them a try. If I hear he's radically shaken up the formula, maybe I'll try again, but until then, he'll have to release "Madea Goes To Camp" and "Madea Goes Bananas" without my reviews.
I'm sure he'll survive.
"11 Minutes"
Normally I'd say that this documentary is also not aimed at me, since I know very little about the fashion world, but I thought "The September Issue" was one of the most enjoyable films at Sundance, and that's a documentary about making one issue of Vogue, so obviously the subject matter can be interesting.
If this look at one of the winners of "Project Runway" as he tries to launch his first collection since winning manages to comment on reality TV and living up to empty hype and instant fame, then those are all subjects that are worth discussion now. If it's just a puff piece designed to further his moment of fame, then I'm not sure it's for me.
Still... I'm curious.
"Fired Up"
Two guys in their 40s decide to skip football camp to attend cheerleader camp so they can tag some ass.
*sigh*
The primary cast of "Grease" looked younger than these people. At what point are we going to stop having people who can remember when Studio 54 was actually a hot nightclub play teenagers in current films?
"Delhi 6"
If you've got a theater near you that actively programs Bollywood films, then keep an eye out for this one, opening in limited release today. I'm not able to really pin down what it's about, and I suspect that wouldn't change even if I saw the film.
"AMC Best Picture Showcase"
Finally, if you're looking for a rev-up to the Oscars, AMC is holding their annual event where you can pay one price and get a ticket to an all-day marathon of all five of the Best Picture nominees. If you need to catch up, this is the perfect way to do it.
Next week's looking a little on the slim side, too, but at least we'll have a new Harrison Ford film to discuss. Until then...
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Login or create a HitFix account Login Signupkamikaze
February 19, 2009 at 7:03PM EST Reply to CommentI love how the (increasingly typo-ridden) Hollywood Reporter referred to Tyler Perry as a "mutitalent" in one of their headlines today.
Stormshadow4life
February 19, 2009 at 7:15PM EST Reply to CommentI'm sorry Drew, but why do you give Perry a pass...and then go on to trash anything that has to do with a movie like Bride Wars? I gotta think that his race does indeed play into this. Madea is TRASH and is no better, if not worse than shit like Bride Wars.
Also, did you see Fired Up? I ask because you seem to be trashing a lot of movies you haven't even seen lately.
Ronin_54
February 20, 2009 at 3:19AM EST Reply to CommentLoved your comment about the ages of the 'Fired Up' cast. I thought the same thing when I saw the 'new & improved' 'Friday the 13th'. The naked girl at the beginning of the movie (with the terrible boob-job) was playing, I'm guessing here, 21? 22? I told my buddy she was more like 30, and sure enough, IMDB said I was pretty close.
lazygarfield
February 20, 2009 at 4:29AM EST Reply to CommentDELHI 6 refers to an old part of New Delhi, the capital city. Hence the "6" in the title, that is the last digit of the area's pincode. The movie is based on the childhood experiences of the director, who is on a huge high after his last film, RANG DE BASANTI, won almost all major awards in the Bollywood awards circuit when it was released 2 years ago. Just wanted to inform you all.
karcher151
February 20, 2009 at 10:29AM EST Reply to Commentu know a film is beyond terrible when u hear the words..."a tyler perry film.." maybe hearing "spike lee joint.." comes close
Tennyson
February 20, 2009 at 1:10PM EST Reply to CommentI'm right there with you on Tyler Perry - I thought Undercover Brother made those kinds of archetypes obsolete once and for all. Apparently not!
At the same time, I can't believe you've got no interest in seeing Cronenberg direct Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington! If anyone understands how the celebrity circus discolors talent, it's you! Moreover, if anyone knows how to cast a thriller, it's Cronenberg.
chutneylix
February 20, 2009 at 2:10PM EST Reply to CommentOkay so I love your stuff Mori..er Drew, but was a little disappointed in this particular entry. Delhi 6, you can find out what its about with a simple search. I'm not defender of most of the stuff coming out of Bollywood but that seemed like a silly comment to make. Secondly, I haven't seen Fired Up and probably won't but isn't this the reverse of whats been done to the geek experience, just because you don't identify with it doesn't mean its 'fake'. Again I haven't seen it but if you haven't either, seems like a broad comment to make.